Monark M1 14 Buoyancy

[sokotd12]

Hi All. Hoping I can get some help on my Monark M1 14' daysailer. Yes, I said MonArk...note a lot of boats out there and I decided I needed this one.

My question is in regards to buoyancy. It's an open bow boat, with storage under each seat. I don't see anything that leads me to believe that it has any foam in it.

Since I'm not sure, I thought about adding some buoyancy to be safe. There are plenty of storage under the seats, I think I can fill them with pool noddles, closed cell phone, or something else. But would 2ea 1sq ft be adequate? The boat weighs roughly 300 lbs. I'm 230 lbs. Expect another 400lbs between people and gear.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[sokotd12]

 

[dLj]

I'd put it in shallow water and fill it with water, see if it floats. Then see if it needs more boyancy...

dj

 

[shemandr]

There could be closed air spaces under the gunnels or other areas between compartments. The amount of foam flotation for a light boat is not that much. Without a keel the boat doesn't want to sink.
Nice open cockpit with a lot of storage there.
What's the story with any keel or centerboard?

 

[rgranger]

What @dLj said.

You might be able to get the floatation you need with a few bumpers.... and if you could set up a way to secure them in the bottom of a locker so they won't float out in a flood, then you can still use them as bumpers when you dock.... and not lose the functionality of the lockers.

Haha... I didn't know this boat so I googled. The first image was the ad for your boat.

https://sailingtexas.com/201101/smonark14100.html

BTW: Here is some data on your boat

MONARCH 14 - sailboatdata

Similar to the HOBIE ONE-14, VAGABOND 14 and HOLDER 14.

sailboatdata.com

Some other data I found on this boat says the hull speed is 7.6 kn.

Monarch 14 — Sailboat Guide

Monarch 14 is a 13′ 8″ / 4.2 m monohull sailboat designed by Ron Holder and built by Monarch Boats (USA) starting in 1986.

sailboat.guide

In a boat this small and that close to the water, that is going to feel like a rocket ship. Have fun!! she looks like a blast.

 

[sokotd12]

Thanks for all the feedback!

 

[jssailem]

Sailboats are exempt from the mandatory design flotation requirement.
If a builder wants to install foam (pool noodles are not applicable), he must use foam that meets the requirements of the NPFC MIL-P-21929C standard. This standard specifies requirements for rigid unicellular polyurethane foam used in flotation applications, including density, fire resistance, and submergence testing. It ensures the foam maintains buoyancy and structural integrity under marine conditions.

My 15-foot boat had blocks of styrofoam in the voids beneath the seats. This was designed to keep the boat floating even after it had filled with water.
The seats on the 14-foot Lido (I raced) provided air pockets. I lost control of the boat during one race, and we went over. My crew and I stepped on the center board, and the boat righted. We climbed into the boat, now filled to the gunwales, and began to bail and sail. We soon had the boat dry and finished the race in second place.

The only requirement for a sailboat is that you must have a proper personal flotation device for each person aboard the boat